Gov. targets downloads

Schwarzenegger signs executive order

WASHINGTON — The governator doesn’t want anyone on the state payroll using government computers to illegally trade movies and music online.

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state resources to illegally download copyrighted material.

“So many of the entertainment industry’s talented musicians, actors, writers and programmers devote their careers to creating products that enrich society,” he said in a statement. “Today California is taking a stand against the use of state resources for illegal downloading of this material and standing in support of the work of these talented Californians.”

The executive order is just the beginning of the crackdown. It charges the state’s chief information officer with the task of developing a statewide policy regarding the use of peer-to-peer file-sharing programs on state computers. The policy will apply to all state agencies, departments, boards, commissions and offices of the executive branch.